There’s one thing every Sydney driver will need to do at some point, and that’s buy new car tyres. Critical to your car’s driving performance, fuel economy and safety, up-to-date and effective tyres are something you can’t leave on the to-do list for long.
Buying new car tyres isn’t difficult, as there are plenty of tyre shops in Sydney, however it can be difficult to know which is best to buy tyres from. The options we’ve opted for in the past were the big tyres stores, often based in the outer suburbs. Alternatively, your vehicle mechanic would order in new tyres for you during your routine vehicle service.
A newer, faster and more convenient option is using a mobile tyre service to buy new car tyres in Sydney, and have them fitted to your vehicle for you.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the different options available for when you want to buy tyres in Sydney, and the factors you need to consider when making your choice.
Where to buy new car tyres in Sydney
Online Sellers
You can order tyres in Sydney online, which allows you to easily see what tyre products are available and in stock, how they’re priced, and how long it should take for them to be delivered to your address.
On the downside, when ordering tyres online, you’re taking a gamble when it comes to getting the best tyres to suit your vehicle. There’s often no expert to chat to, and you might end up with the wrong size tyres or tyres with the wrong kind of tread. Also, after delivery, you then need to organise fitting separately.
Note that, if ordering tyres online, it’s best to avoid purchasing second-hand tyres, even if the seller says they have never been used. With second-hand products, you have no idea how those tyres have been stored, and if they have degraded. For example, if the tyres have been sitting in a garage, they may have been exposed to chemical vapours or heat, both of which can degrade tyres prematurely. So for best results, order new tyres from a reputable supplier, as you have a better chance of receiving quality, undamaged tyres.
Tyre Stores
Sydney has an array of brick-and-mortar tyre shops, usually located in the suburbs or in commercial zones. These stores are often connected to popular tyre brands, however there are some independent tyre stores that stock a range of brands.
There are advantages and disadvantages to buying tyres at a physical store. The advantages are:
- Solid Advice: When you visit a tyre store, you generally receive decent advice on what tyres will best suit your type of vehicle and driving needs.
- In-stock product: You will usually have access to a suitable tyre in the store. You can also view and feel the product before you buy it.
- Fitting Available: Many physical tyre shops offer on-site tyre fitting.
On the downside, physical tyre stores require you to journey to the store’s location, which takes up time and isn’t necessarily convenient. If your existing tyre is damaged, it may actually be impossible to drive to the tyre store.
You also need to factor in wait times for getting your tyre fitted at the tyre shop. There may not be immediate availability, which means you need to wait it out in the store, or book in a fitting at another time.
Through your mechanic
When you have your vehicle’s regular service, the service technician will check your tyres and advise you if they need to be upgraded. They can then order new tyres for you, or you can go out and purchase the tyres yourself, and get your mechanic to fit them. This approach is fine, but involves you waiting for your routine service, and in the meantime, you may be driving on tyres that aren’t up to scratch. Additionally, your mechanic might not offer the most competitive prices compared with other tyre shops in Sydney.
Mobile Tyre Services
For those needing to buy tyres in Sydney, Mobile tyre services offer an especially convenient option. Mobile tyre services will often sell tyres, as well as perform a range of other services like tyre fitting and tyre rotations. The benefits of Mobile Tyre Services are:
- Ease: There’s not a whole lot of planning involved when you use a mobile tyre service. You just book online, and the tyre technician comes to you and fits your new tyres. You get to stay at home or at work, and it all gets done for you.
- Expert Advice on the best tyres for your car: If you use a mobile tyre service like Jim’s Mobile Tyres, you get expert advice from tyre specialists. Our staff will ask about your vehicle, your driving style, the types of driving you like to do (seasonal and otherwise), and more. We then match you with the most appropriate tyres based on your vehicle’s specifications and driving needs.
- Expansive Range: Just because you’re receiving a mobile service, doesn’t mean the choices are limited. Mobile tyre sellers in Sydney, like Jim’s Mobile Tyres, offer a very wide range of quality tyres from renowned brands. We’re also able to keep costs competitive, as we don’t pay overheads to keep physical stores up and running.
- Flexible Scheduling: With Jim’s Mobile Tyres, you choose an appointment that suits you, rather than the other way around. This way, you can get things done while the new tyre fitting is completed. In essence, there’s no downtime for you.
- Reduced cost at vehicle service: If you have your tyres updated through Jim’s Mobile Tyres, it means there’s one less thing for your vehicle’s service technician to do at your regular car service. Mobile tyre services often charge less for the same tyre services than mechanics, so it makes sense to keep costs down when possible. Just make sure you tell your mechanic that your tyres have been serviced or updated by Jim’s.
Choosing a Tyre Seller
When buying new car tyres, you want to be certain you’re receiving a quality product, as well as getting the most suitable tyres for your vehicle and driving needs. So when deciding on providers, consider the following factors:
Wide Range of Tyres to Choose From
A good tyre shop in Sydney should offer a broad selection of tyres from reputable brands, catering to various budgets and vehicle types. Look for sellers that stock premium brands like Falken, Continental, BFGoodrich, Yokohama, GTRadial, as well as mid-range and budget options.
Competitive prices
Of course you want to get the best prices on tyres, so it’s important to shop around. Watch out to see if the tyre shop in Sydney offers bundled packages that include the tyres and tyre services, like tyre fitting, tyre rotations, and tyre disposal. Also, ask the tyre seller if they’re prepared to price match with competitors.
Proximity
It’s really helpful if you can access a tyre shop in Sydney as close to your home or workplace as possible. Ideally, you won’t go anywhere, and a mobile tyre service will come to you instead.
Keep in mind that visiting a physical tyre stop requires time out of your day, and a trip to a location that’s not necessarily close to home. A mobile tyre shop in Sydney saves you the journey and all the associated bother.
Additional Services
When buying new tyres for your car, you need to factor in other services, like tyre fitting, tyre rotation (if you’re not replacing your whole tyre set), and disposal of your old tyres. It’s very helpful if you choose a tyre seller who provides these additional services, rather than needing to seek services from multiple providers.
Reputation
Obviously it’s important that a tyre seller has a good reputation for providing quality advice and products. Ask friends and family where they bought their tyres from, and what their experience was like. You can also read online reviews of tyre sellers you’re considering.
Great Customer Service
Nobody wants headaches when they buy new tyres in Sydney. Dealing with a tyre seller should be a simple and enjoyable experience. In essence, you want to know that the tyre provider will be friendly, answer your questions, and do an expert job when recommending and fitting new tyres.
You also want them to take your budget into account, and be relatively agnostic when it comes to what brands they recommend—so that you get the most appropriate product on your budget, rather than a product they have a vested interest in promoting.
So, give any prospective tyre seller a call and see how they are over the phone. Find out if they’re transparent about pricing and about when they can do the tyre fitting for you. If they can’t offer advice and support in a friendly manner, it’s better to go to a provider who can.
What to Consider When Buying New Tyres
Buying new car tyres involves a few considerations. You need to take into account your:
- Vehicle type: What tyres does your car manufacturer recommend for your vehicle and do you want to stick with the OE tyres (the Original Equipment chosen by the manufacturer) or try different tyres?
- Where you drive: Do you drive only on urban roads or are you likely to go off-road for more adventurous driving?
- Loads: Will you carry or tow heavy loads?
- Weather conditions: Will you be driving in a range of weather conditions? (For example, will you need to drive in alpine areas during winter, or on very hot roads during summer?).
- Budget: How much can you afford to spend on tyres?
Considering all these factors is essential, however it can get confusing. That’s why getting help from the experts is crucial. Jim’s Mobile Tyres technicians can help you choose the right tyres for your driving needs, at a price you can afford. They will also fit tyres to your vehicle. Basically, choosing Jim’s Mobile Tyres takes away the thought work, because you know the experts are taking care of it.
How do you know when it’s time to buy new car tyres?
Well-functioning tyres are important for vehicle performance and safety, so if your tyres are worn out, it’s important to buy new tyres ASAP. How do you know when it’s time to update your tyres? Consider the following.
1. Tread Depth
In Australia, it’s a legal requirement that tyres have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm. In saying that, tyre specialists will recommend that you change tyres when the tread reaches 3mm, as having tread below this depth means your vehicle won’t handle well in wet conditions.
To check tread depth, you can use a tread depth gauge, or check the tread wear indicators on your tyres. You can also simply use an Australian 20 cent coin to check depth. Just place the coin into a central tyre groove and see if the tread reaches the platypus’s bill. If it doesn’t, you need to buy new car tyres.
2. Age of the Tyres
Tyres typically last 5-7 years. After this time, the rubber compounds can degrade, even if the tread appears fine. Check the manufacturing date (found on the tyre sidewall) to assess age.
3. Cracks and Damage
Whilst some types of tyre damage can be repaired, it’s often the case that you need to replace the whole tyre. So check regularly for bulges, cracks and punctures. If you find damage, contact Jim’s Mobile Tyres. We can repair tyre punctures, and if not, can sort you out a new car tyres in Sydney.
4. Poor Performance
If your car feels unstable, takes longer to brake, or skids frequently, your tyres may be worn out and need replacing.
Why Sydneysiders Are Choosing Mobile Tyre Services
Sydney drivers are busy and tend not to want to lose time sorting out vehicle-related issues. Whatever they can do to save time and reduce travel is helpful. That’s why mobile tyre services in Sydney tend to come out on top when it comes to the most convenient solution for buying new car tyres, and having them fitted.
Jim’s Mobile Tyres offers a great range of car tyres for sale from reputable tyre brands at competitive prices. We not only match you with the most appropriate tyres for your vehicle and driving needs, but we also come to your location and fit those tyres for you. We can then dispose of your old tyres, and you don’t need to lift a finger.
Contact us today for new tyres Sydney.
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